Top takeaways from Central Scouting’s 2027 preliminary NHL Draft watch list
NHL Central Scouting has released its annual preliminary watch list, with more than 400 names earning early recognition.
The season is still in its infancy, so sample sizes are small. However, the list arrives ahead of a busy scouting stretch, with the QMJHL Top Prospects Game scheduled for later this week before the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge gets underway in early December.
The watch list breaks prospects into distinct tiers: A (projected first-rounder), B (second-to-third-rounder), C (fourth-to-fifth-rounder), and W (sixth-to-seventh-rounder). Just one player, USA U-18 forward Hudson Salvador, was given an “LV” (Limited Viewing) tag, which is typically reserved for prospects sidelined by long-term injuries.
As Daily Faceoff’s prospect analyst, here are my biggest takeaways from the initial list:
Landon DuPont is the early – and obvious – favorite to go No. 1
I haven’t found a scout I trust who doesn’t think DuPont is the premier talent in this draft class. This is truly the closest to a consensus No. 1 we’ve seen at this stage of the season since Macklin Celebrini went first overall in 2024. DuPont possesses every trait required of a franchise top-pairing defenseman: poise, high-end processing, effortless skating, and dynamic puck skills. College hockey hasn’t slowed down the former Everett Silvertips standout, as the 17-year-old is already operating at a point-per-game pace through six games at Michigan.
DuPont will continue to draw comparisons to Matthew Schaefer, the most recent defenseman to go first overall. For what it’s worth, I prefer DuPont’s game at the same age, which isn’t shocking given the higher level of competition he’s facing and the fact that Schaefer missed significant time during his draft campaign. It’s hard to dispute that DuPont projects as a legitimate No. 1 NHL defenseman, and whichever team lands him in June will be ecstatic.
Thoughts on the “A” ratings
This is one of the most agreeable “A” watch lists Central Scouting has produced in recent memory. For perspective, Viggo Björck was slapped with a “B” rating last October, a decision the public scouting community immediately questioned.
A total of 28 skaters and goaltenders received an “A” grade from Central Scouting, designating them as projected first-round selections. Of those 28, 25 cracked DFO’s top 40 rankings from early October. Among the omissions, only forwards Easton Walos and Bogdan Yakushevsky, along with goaltender Vilmer Salén Forsberg, were left off our list. For transparency, that trio ranked 41st through 43rd on our board, meaning they just missed the cut. I’m a big fan of all three right now.
I was curious to see where Central Scouting would slot Max Calce. I’m a believer in his upside and view him as a first-round talent. Undersized centers always face an uphill battle on draft boards, but Calce is an electric playmaker who consistently wins 1-on-1 puck battles.
As for the players I’m surprised missed out on an “A” grade, Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and Luca Santala stand out most. Gordon-Carroll’s boxcar numbers haven’t jumped off the page, but his mature two-way profile is pro-ready. Santala has experienced typical adjustment hurdles in the OHL, but he dominated his age group for years and has undeniable offensive skill.
One goalie above the rest
The more I watch Vilmer Salén Forsberg, the more I buy into his NHL upside. The 17-year-old Swedish netminder is a towering 6-foot-6 presence who swallows up the net while competing fiercely on second-chance opportunities. While his performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup was uneven, his raw athletic foundation was obvious. He has been brilliant for Brantford in the OHL, posting a 6-2-1 record with one shutout and a .931 save percentage to open the season. The Bulldogs are a powerhouse, and goaltenders can occasionally get lost behind a deep roster, but Forsberg has been a genuine difference-maker. If any goalie hears his name called on night one of the draft, it’s him.
Players I’m higher on
The most prominent name here is Kohyn Eshkawkogan, whom I ranked 40th on my board in October. Central Scouting assigned him a “C” rating, viewing him as a fourth-to-fifth-round projection. Scouts I speak with view him more as a late second-rounder. I love how well he activates his feet and moves the puck with pace. While I’m slightly more measured on him now than I was, say, two months ago, I still believe the skill set plays higher than a fifth-round grade.
I was also surprised to see Roberts Naudiņš receive a “C” rating. He isn’t every scout’s cup of tea, but you can’t miss a 6-foot-7 winger who moves well and possesses a blistering wrist shot. Naudiņš distributes effectively and wins nearly every net-front battle he enters. If he continues driving high-danger areas rather than settling on the perimeter, he could easily climb into first-round consideration.
Another notable “C” grade is Calgary Hitmen goaltender Eric Tu. Entering the year, several scouts viewed him as a candidate to be one of the first goalies selected. His stock has cooled slightly after fellow 2027 draft-eligible netminder Aidan Hesse outplayed him in the early going, but Tu remains an explosive 6-foot-3 keeper with quick hands and elite tracking. The upside is there; don’t write him off yet.
“W” players worth tracking
Central Scouting gives “W” ratings to prospects projected as sixth- or seventh-round selections. These are often high-risk, high-reward profiles with clear developmental hurdles. Last year, I championed Harrison Boettiger in this tier because his foundational instincts were sound despite his smaller frame.
Peter Green is a Brampton Steelheads defenseman worth keeping tabs on. He’s on pace for 40 points on a struggling roster and plays an abrasive, physical style. He projects much closer to a third- or fourth-round depth defender who could carve out a bottom-pair role at the pro level.
In net, David Vermirovsky generated plenty of buzz among European scouts while playing in the Czech junior ranks last year. He brings an imposing 6-foot-5 frame, though consistency was an issue. Scouts supported his transition to the OHL this fall to refine his technical game and become more fluid in his movements. While he remains raw, his early flashes suggest he is well worth a middle-round flier.
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